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Forums & Workgroups

Women Data Professionals

Advancing the Role of Women in Data Management

Welcome to EDM Association’s Women Data Professionals Forum. Both our members and guests are invited to participate in this open interest group.

We are excited about this initiative to advance women in our profession and build an active and effective community.

Our mission

The mission of the Women Data Professionals group is to provide support for and promote women in the field of data and assist in their development and promotion to more senior roles.

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Join the Women Data Professionals Forum

ALL are welcome to join and participate – women and men alike. 

Join now

Thank you for celebrating Women’s History Month and #IWD2026 with us!

EDM Association’s Women Data Professionals forum hosted two special events in celebration of Women’s History Month, inspired by the International Women’s Day 2026 (#IWD2026) theme: “Give to Gain” and explored the power of mentoring, connection, and giving back to support women in our profession and beyond.

Webinar: The Benefits of Mentoring

March 10, 2026 – 10:00-11:00am EDT / 2:00-3:00pm GMT

This engaging webinar, hosted by Robin Doyle, featured both mentors and mentees from the Women Data Professionals Mentoring Program sharing their experiences and the many personal and professional benefits of mentoring. The discussion highlighted how mentoring programs strengthen our community of women data professionals and help women succeed in the workplace.

View the webinar recording

 

WDP Rising Star Program: A Global Recognition Initiative

WDP is proud to relaunch the WDP Rising Star Program as a unified, global recognition initiative.

Building on prior years – when Rising Stars were highlighted through peer recommendations and featured spotlights – the refreshed program introduces a formal nomination and regional review process. This enhanced approach is designed to ensure consistent evaluation, increased global visibility, and meaningful recognition of emerging women data leaders across all WDP regions.

The goal of the Rising Star Program is simple and powerful: to recognize and elevate emerging women data leaders from every region within our global community. 

Each region will nominate candidates based on defined guidelines. Following a regional review, the top three nominees in each region will be submitted to the WDP Rising Star Committee, which will select one Rising Star per region for recognition.

We look forward to celebrating the next generation of women shaping the future of data through this strengthened and globally aligned program.

Regional Leads will share nomination details and launch the call for nominations in their regions.

Learn more on EDMConnect

 

Our 2026 WDP Mentorship Program is underway!

We are very excited for our fifth year offering women the opportunity to participate in the EDM Association’s Women Data Professionals Mentoring Program!  This year, the Program is running in three regions – North America, APAC and EMEA – making it accessible to the entire WDP Global Community. Thank you to all the Mentors and Mentees who have registered! Watch this space for updates as the program progresses.

Testimonials about the Mentoring Program

  • “My mentors have been supportive and encouraging, helping me navigate challenging situations and achieve my career goals. Their guidance has been invaluable.” – Nichole Nobbman, Orion Advisor Solutions | VP of Business Intelligence
  • “I was excited to have this opportunity to serve as a mentor and pay it forward with newer data management professionals.” – Robin Doherty, Wells Fargo | Data Management Manager
  • “It’s been such an honor to be a mentor to, and learn from, such an impressive group of leaders. This is an exceptional program, and I am excited to continue to support any way I can.” – Mark Carsen, Protiviti | Managing Director
  • “The Mentoring Program has given me the opportunity to learn from the experiences of my mentors and fellow mentees to help navigate my career as a woman in data and analytics.” – Nageen Moghaddam, Protiviti | Data & Analytics Manager

 

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Resource Links

Spotlight Interview

In this Women Data Professionals Spotlight, Marla Dans, a distinguished data executive and author, shares her insights on building strategic data programs that drive exceptional business outcomes. In conversation with Shannon Hughes and Prasansa Amatya, Marla discusses how to establish and scale high-performing data teams, align data initiatives with business strategy, and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration. Watch the interview to gain practical guidance and inspiration from her experience leading transformative data efforts across industries.

Watch the Spotlight Interview

Get involved!

There are many opportunities to get involved, whether you are seeking guidance, providing your perspective or professional support, or just looking to connect and expand your network.

The group’s dedicated area within EDMConnect (our online portal) provides a central location for information exchange and collaboration:

  • Join our online discussions on relevant topics
  • Contribute to our blog with your thoughts and ideas
  • Access educational and other material in a virtual library
  • Attend our calendar of events, highlighting where our members are participating
  • Find contacts in the group directory and network with them
  • Participate as a mentor or mentee in our Mentoring Program (find more on this webpage)

The group is global. We are organized into regional chapters – Americas, EMEA and APAC – and we also have committees that look after different initiatives and activities. Leadership positions are also available.

  • Membership Committee
  • Events & Content Committee
  • Mentorship Committee
  • Affinity Groups Committee
  • Regional Representatives
Contact our leadership

Joining Women Data Professionals is Simple

EDM Council Members

Employees of member firms can use their login credentials to access the group on EDMConnect:

Sign in

Non-members

If your employer is not an EDM Council member, or you are independent, you are welcome to register as a guest. You will have restricted access to EDMConnect but are very welcome to join and participate in the Women Data Professionals Forum.

Register as guest